The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill to amend Schedules A and C of Law No. 004 of 2008, as amended in 2015, to review the remuneration of public and political office holders at the local government and development centre levels. The bill was passed during plenary on Wednesday at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa. The proposed amendment concerns the remuneration schedules for various political office holders at the grassroots.
Presenting a letter from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to the House, Odunwa said the bill aimed to review the remuneration of the affected office holders. The Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ikoro, led the debate on the bill, citing Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowered the State House of Assembly to legislate on the structure and administration of Local Government Councils. Ikoro said the bill was specifically aimed at reviewing the remuneration of the affected office holders.
Following deliberations, the Leader moved a motion for the House to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole to fine-tune the provisions of the bill. The motion was seconded by the member representing Ezza South Constituency, Hon. Friday Ogbuewu. Upon reconvening, Speaker Odunwa announced the revised remuneration for the affected office holders. The new remuneration was fixed as follows: Local Government Chairman — N450,000, Vice Chairman — N400,000, Supervisor — N230,000, Secretary — N240,000, Special Assistant to Chairman — N165,000.
Under Schedule C, covering legislative and development centre officials, Odunwa announced the new remuneration as: Legislative Leader — N300,000, Deputy Leader — N250,000, Councillor — N230,000, Development Centre Coordinator — N277,000, Management Committee Member — N226,000. The existing Law No. 004 of 2008 governs aspects of local government and development centre administration in Ebonyi State. A previous report by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly identified the law as the Local Government and Development Centre Law.
Commending Governor Nwifuru for his commitment to improving the welfare of public office holders and strengthening grassroots administration, the Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to sustaining a productive partnership with the executive arm of government in advancing the People’s Charter of Needs agenda. The Speaker described the governor's efforts as a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of public office holders.
Thereafter, Ikoro moved a motion for the passage of the amendment bill. The motion was seconded by the member representing Ikwo North Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Nwakpu. The bill was subsequently passed unanimously through a voice vote, after which Speaker Odunwa directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to communicate the passage to the governor. The plenary was thereafter adjourned to another legislative day.
The passage of the bill is seen as a major achievement for the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, demonstrating its commitment to improving the welfare of public office holders and enhancing grassroots administration. The bill's passage is also expected to have a positive impact on the state's development, as it aims to strengthen the administration of local government and development centres. Governor Nwifuru's commitment to the welfare of public office holders has been commended by various stakeholders.
Key points
- The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill to review the remuneration of public office holders at local government and development centre levels.
- The new remuneration schedules for various political office holders at the grassroots have been announced, with the Local Government Chairman to receive N450,000 per month.
- The passage of the bill demonstrates the Assembly's commitment to improving the welfare of public office holders and enhancing grassroots administration.
